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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 4 · Chapter 22: Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Meeting with the Four Kumāras
4.22.184.22.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.22.19

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sanat-kumārasince 4.22.18inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सङ्गम: खलु साधूनामुभयेषां च सम्मत: ।

यत्सम्भाषणसम्प्रश्न: सर्वेषां वितनोति शम् ॥ १९ ॥

saṅgamaḥ khalu sādhūnām

ubhayeṣāṁ ca sammataḥ

yat-sambhāṣaṇa-sampraśnaḥ

sarveṣāṁ vitanoti śam

Translation

When there is a congregation of devotees, their discussions, questions and answers become conclusive to both the speaker and the audience. Thus such a meeting is beneficial for everyone’s real happiness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Discussion Brings Real Happiness

  1. 1

    Hearing discussions among devotees is the means to receive the powerful message of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The purport stresses presenting Bhagavad-gītā as it is through the disciplic succession.

  2. 2

    Questions about the Supreme Lord or the ultimate goal of life spiritually enrich both speaker and listener. Such discussions benefit them in this life and the next.

  3. 3

    Both materialists and transcendentalists benefit from hearing devotees. This association can help a person regulate life and increase the opportunity to become a devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • Whoever takes advantage of such discussions is benefited both in this life and in the next.
  • By hearing discussions between devotees, both the materialist and transcendentalist are benefited.
  • The conclusion is that if one participates in a discussion of devotees, he is both materially and spiritually benefited.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Anger and disorder → Duty and devotion. Kingship shifts from domination to stewardship and renunciation.

Chapters 13–23 of Canto 4: Vena and Pṛthu: power, the Earth and stewardship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 22: Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Meeting with the Four Kumāras

The four Kumāras instruct Pṛthu, who dedicates himself and the fruits of his activities to the Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saṅgamaḥassociation
  2. khalucertainly
  3. sādhūnāmof devotees
  4. ubhayeṣāmfor both
  5. caalso
  6. sammataḥconclusive
  7. yatwhich
  8. sambhāṣaṇadiscussion
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “materialists”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 4.22

    In this verse: “hearing”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I approach discussions among devotees as an opportunity for everyone to grow?

Practice

Spend a few minutes listening to a discussion among devotees about the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Discussion Brings Real HappinessThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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